    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book III)]
    [November 15, 2004]
    [Page 2973]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Resignation of Colin L. Powell as Secretary of State
    November 15, 2004

        Colin Powell is one of the great public servants of our time. He is
    a soldier, a diplomat, a civic leader, a statesman, and a great patriot.
    I value his friendship. He will be missed. On behalf of all Americans, I
    thank him for his many years of service, and I wish him and Alma all the
    best.
        In his 4 years as Secretary of State, Colin forged new alliances
    that are helping America win the war on terror and reinvigorated old and
    honored friendships. He has helped to build two great coalitions that
    have liberated more than 50 million people in Afghanistan and Iraq from
    brutal dictators and which are now helping those nations emerge as
    successful democracies. He was a key architect of the Broader Middle
    East Initiative, which is helping to spread freedom and democracy in
    that region.
        His diplomatic skills also helped to end regional conflicts and
    lower tensions on the Indian subcontinent. Through his advocacy, he
    focused the world's attention on the plight of the suffering in Sudan,
    Liberia, and Haiti. His role in resolving the EP-3 incident early in my
    administration showed the calm judgment and steady resolve he has
    brought to our foreign policy. Thousands of dedicated foreign policy
    professionals are grateful for his leadership in modernizing and
    strengthening the Department of State.

     Note: The Office of the Press Secretary also made available Secretary
    Powell's letter of resignation.